Buddha
in Bhumisparsa Mudra
(gesture of calling the earth to witness)

Gilded
lacquer

Burma/Myanmar;
18th Century
P67.150; Denison University

The Buddha
is seated in bhumisparsa mudra, the earth touching gesture that marks his
defeat over the god of evil and his Enlightenment. These types of lacquer
images were made by molding a clay form, covering it with thick cloth, and
applying thin layers of lacquer. Each layer was allowed to dry before another
one was applied. Afterwards the clay core was removed and details were applied
with lacquer putty. When complete, the image was gilded with gold leaf.